Hunter Greene’s Big Win: How High Can the Reds Climb in the NL?

By Oliver Wiener August 22, 2025 11:26

Hunter Greene’s return to form in the 2025 MLB season has ignited renewed optimism for the Cincinnati Reds as they push to climb the National League standings. The 25-year-old right-hander, a Southern California native and the Reds’ high draft pick in 2017, has showcased his elite potential this season, coming off an injury-shortened 2024 with renewed dominance on the mound.

Greene entered the 2025 season with strong credentials, boasting a career 3.70 ERA over 460 innings and 576 strikeouts through 85 starts. This year, through 13 starts, he has posted an impressive 2.63 ERA and 91 strikeouts in 72 innings, paired with an excellent 0.93 WHIP. Such metrics reflect a significant step forward in Greene’s development, combining power pitching with improved control. Highlighting his 2025 campaign was an August 19th outing where he struck out 12 batters over 6.1 innings in a clutch win against the Los Angeles Angels, tying his season-high strikeout total and helping the Reds extend their winning streak over the Angels to 10 games.

Greene’s journey back to this level has not been without obstacles. A groin strain sidelined him in May 2025, interrupting a hot start. Reds manager Terry Francona remarked on Greene’s injury and return, stating, “Hunter’s resilience through rehab has been remarkable. He’s come back stronger, sharper, and with the mindset of a true ace. That’s critical as we push for a playoff spot”. Greene himself emphasized the mental grind, noting, “Recovery was tough mentally more than physically. But the process made me appreciate every moment on the mound. Now, I just want to help us win every game I pitch”.

The Reds are currently just half a game behind the New York Mets for the final National League Wild Card spot, a testament to how close Greene’s performances have positioned the team in a competitive playoff chase. His presence stabilizes a Reds rotation that has seen ups and downs but clearly benefits from his strikeout ability and run suppression. In recent starts, Greene has combined elite strikeout numbers with efficient pitching, maintaining strikeout rates near 11.4 per nine innings and limiting walks to just over 1.5 per nine innings, a notable improvement in his command and consistency.

Looking forward, the Reds have a challenging schedule but Greene’s ace-like presence could be the catalyst for a late-season surge. Baseball analysts highlight that Greene’s ability to dominate left-handed and right-handed hitters alike, paired with his durability if he can avoid further injury, makes him one of the most valuable arms in the National League playoff race. His strike-throwing prowess and eloquence about the mental aspects of pitching underscore a maturity beyond his years that could elevate Cincinnati’s postseason aspirations.

In sum, Hunter Greene’s 2025 season is a narrative of talent fulfilling promise coupled with resilience overcoming setbacks. With a career-high strikeout total in reach and an ERA under 2.70, he anchors the Reds’ rotation both statistically and psychologically. The question on everyone’s lips: How high can the Reds climb in the NL with Hunter Greene firing on all cylinders? Given his recent dominance and leadership, the Reds are poised to make a substantial push, and Greene’s big wins are the foundation for their hopeful climb toward October baseball. As Francona aptly put it, “When Hunter’s at his best, the entire team follows. He’s our cornerstone for success this year”.